Increasing comfort with modern dental technologies
It’s not news that over half of Americans have anxiety about going to the dentist. People get nervous about potential pain, numbness coming out of the procedure, and loss of control throughout the process. The reality is that these fears aren’t about the dentist but rather about what we will be subject to during the appointment. And sometimes, this is a result of having a similar procedure completed a decade or more ago with a practice that didn’t have comfort-giving dental technologies and techniques at their disposal.
Thankfully, we use several techniques and technologies in modern dentistry to increase your comfort and lessen the chances of pain. Most patients who undergo these procedures with a new approach or tech don’t experience any pain or discomfort at all. With laser dentistry, in particular, we can provide a far more comfortable experience than ever before for patients needing cavity detection, dental fillings, and tooth sensitivity improvements. We use laser dentistry for gum reshaping, gum surgery, and muscle attachment improvements.
Suppose you are one of the millions of people who experience anxiety when it comes to the dentist. In that case, you can rest assured that today’s dental technologies offers comforts and conveniences that weren’t possible 20 or even 10 years ago.
Here are 5 ways that modern dental technologies can make your experience at the dentist more relaxing, more precise, and more likely that you’ll walk away feeling positive about your dental experience.
1. Bye-bye putty trays.
Remember those putty trays from the past? The ones that were used to take an impression of your teeth? Those trays were used to capture a negative imprint of the hard and soft tissues in your mouth. Impressions were made by placing a liquid or semi-solid impression material in the tray. You would clench your teeth down into the tray for a few minutes or however long was needed to create the impression. These trays were not comfortable—trust us, we didn’t like them either when it was our turn to make an impression.
Enter the E4DDentist solution. Created by twin brothers from South Africa, this laser digitization can scan the natural tooth surface. The technology allows dentists to scan, fabricate, and provide restorations. The process is efficient, effective, and patient-friendly. With the E4D Dental System, patients no longer need to bite down into the unpleasant-tasting solution or the uncomfortable dental putty trays of yesteryear.
2. Treat gum disease.
More formally known as periodontitis, gum disease is a common but preventable infection that damages gums and, when left untreated, can destroy the jawbone. In most cases, gum disease is caused by inadequate oral hygiene, and in extreme cases, can result in tooth loss. There is also a strong link between gum disease and heart and lung diseases.
Those with gum disease will have swollen, red, and tender gums. To treat gum disease, a dental professional will clean the teeth pockets via a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure. In the past, this was an uncomfortable process, but now, when we combine the appropriate pain killer with an application of Arestin, our patients experience a tolerable and, dare we say, overall comfortable dental procedure.
Arestin is locally applied to the infected pocket and it administers an antibiotic through a slow-release. The antibiotic targets the bacteria so that gums can heal faster than they would with just the SRP process. Arestin also helps to ensure that the bacteria doesn’t return just a few days later.
3. No more numbness
It can be uncomfortable leaving the dentist’s office when you can’t feel the inside of your mouth or part of your face. It can also make you feel self-conscious and can be dangerous as there is an increased risk of biting your tongue or the inside of your mouth. At Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center, we use a revolutionary product called OraVerse, which works to reverse local anesthetic effects.
OraVerse is the only product proven safe and effective in accelerating the return of familiar sensation to your mouth after having experienced a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor. This cuts recovery time down to about half of what it used to be. That means you’ll be smiling, talking, and drinking without spilling your beverage out the sides of your mouth in no time.
4. Denture replacement made easy.
If you’ve had your dentures replaced in the past, you know that it isn’t always the most pleasant experience. Here at Bentz, we have instituted the All-on-4 same-day teeth replacement method, which means our patients get fitted faster and without discomfort. The All-on-4 dental implants treatment method uses state-of-the-art technology to replace uncomfortable, inconvenient, and poorly fitted traditional dentures.
Rather than replacing traditional dentures, we suggest that our patients consider dental implants, which are permanent teeth replacements. Affordable dental implants have become a popular alternative to conventional dentures in recent years. Though dental implants are more expensive than dentures, they will last longer and save you money over time. The average cost of dental implants can vary. We’ll be happy to discuss pricing options with you during your assessment to discuss dental implants.
Before we drop this particular subject, we’d be remiss if we didn’t say that dental implants usually lead to fewer visits to the dentist. Though we love to see our patients, we know that there are other things that you would rather be doing than coming to visit us.
5. Speedy diagnoses for those in a hurry.
Finally, we know that our patients have other things to do than make time to come to the dentist. Even when we’re not living in the time of a pandemic, we want our patients to get in and out of our office quickly. We know that our patients need to get back to their busy lives. For this reason, we have state-of-the-art modern technology that makes dental visits more efficient and effective.
i-CAT 3D Imaging
We have invested in i-CAT 3D Imaging, which helps everyone here on the Bentz team provide you with a quick, comfortable, and practical diagnosis experience.
The i-CAT digital imaging technology provides jaw and full facial three-dimensional data so that we can assess the state of your dental implants. We can also leverage this technology to determine the need for TMJ treatment or wisdom teeth extractions. We can even look at the results to assess whether you are suffering from sleep apnea.
Intraoral camera and digital X-rays
Another next-generation dental technology that we leverage here at Bentz is the intraoral camera, Though traditional X-rays serve a purpose and provide us with valuable information, an intraoral camera allows us to see everything happening on the inside of your mouth. We can identify plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, cracked teeth, and excessive wear. This makes for a far less invasive and cost-effective experience.
In some cases we will elect to take digital X-rays, which are far more effective than traditional X-rays. Digital X-ray technology provides us with many advanced imaging options that save you time and provide us with more detailed dental photos. Digital X-rays expose you to less radiation than traditional X-ray technology, and as such, digital X-rays are a popular solution for expectant mothers who may be nervous about harmful rays hurting their unborn babies.
CAD/CAM technology
If you’re not impressed enough with the technologies that have evolved in modern dentistry, we have more to throw at you. We now have the ability to create customized and personalized fittings of crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges, and other dental restorations. With this CAD/CAM technology, defined as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), Dr. Bentz and the team can provide you with the most precise restorations possible.
Modern dental procedures are not like you may remember them years ago, thanks to these amazing advances in dental technology. Our team at Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center stay on top of this modern tech so we can continue to offer you high-quality, comfortable, and thorough care. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, feel free to get in touch and book a time with us.